a house aide says president obama and house speaker john boehner spoke on the phone yesterday afternoon. that is their first conversation in a week and since republicans offered $800 billion in new tax revenue and more than a trillion dollars in spending cuts. aides refuse to say if the president and speaker are now closer to a deal. for both sides a little more campaigning. president obama heads to northern virginia this afternoon. the white house says he will meet with a middle class family to press congress to protect those making less than $250,000 a year from tax increases and raise rates on those making more. house republicans return to their congressional districts. they will meet with small business owners to underscore how they say tax rate increases will hit those business, jon. jon: are they still hung up on taxes? is that the big sticking point? >> yes. taxes are the key to this debate. republicans say they will increase tax revenue through cutting tax deductions. democrats say tax rates have to increase for families earning more than $250,000 a year. they're demanding repub